German Red Prince

Page 113

This trip could earn him about six hundred silver dollars, and Zhang Shouguo naturally wouldn't turn down money. After thinking for a while, he agreed to Zhang Zuolin's request.

On the surface, he was a smuggler, but in reality, Zhang Shouguo acted as an intermediary between the Kwantung Army and the Fengtian government.

"The goods are all here; these three trucks contain everything you requested."

Zhang Shouguo jumped out of the truck and inspected the back of the vehicle. He patted the large wooden crate on the truck. From starting his business to making a fortune, he now had a strong team of several hundred people and six large trucks.

Because I used to work as a镖师 (bodyguard/escort), and because I might have encountered many thieves and double-crosses among my peers on the road, the team I have now is quite well-equipped. These people are the foundation of my livelihood.

He directed people to unload the goods from the vehicle, and the officer in charge of receiving them had someone open the boxes. Inside the boxes lay brand-new rifles, along with a full range of weapons, ammunition, and medicines.

The officer picked up a rifle and inspected it. After confirming that it was not defective, the officer paid Zhang Shouguo seven hundred silver dollars.

Although the current Northeast government prohibits the use of silver dollars for transactions, this only applies to ordinary people. Because the new currency in Fengtian has depreciated significantly, Zhang Shouguo only accepts silver dollars.

"Come find me again if you need anything next time."

Zhang Shouguo was very happy to receive the money. This trip was definitely worthwhile. Smuggling arms was much more profitable than dealing in other goods. He was even considering whether he should open a business specializing in arms smuggling in the future.

After Zhang Shouguo left, the officers and soldiers escorted the munitions to the secret rendezvous point, where the North Koreans had been waiting for a long time.

Smuggling Japanese weapons to Koreans, so that Koreans could use Japanese guns to fight the Japanese, was Zhang Zuolin's little trick. Since the Japanese wanted to extend their reach into Northeast China, he would have his backyard torn up.

The Fengtian government had been smuggling weapons to the Korean guerrillas for some time now. Since it could cause trouble for the Japanese, they naturally wanted to help them out.

North Korea was under very strict control by Japan, and many guerrillas would hide in Northeast China to operate, which Zhang Zuolin turned a blind eye to.

North Korea is relatively close to Northeast China and has many mountainous areas, so the Japanese army's control over it was much looser, and it naturally became the base of guerrillas.

There are many large-scale guerrilla groups in northern Korea, the largest of which is the North Korean Revolutionary Guerrilla Force led by Kim Doo-bong.

Although the North Korean Revolutionary Guerrilla Force was led by the Korean Communist Party, it was also secretly funded by Fengtian (Korean Empire). Yan Baohang had a dedicated contact person to maintain communication with them.

Although these guerrillas were determined, they were certainly not as well-equipped as the Japanese army. The guns and cannons they made in their workshops were naturally not as powerful as those in factories, and the majority of their weapons came from smuggling.

Zhang Zuolin made connections with the Koreans, and Zhang Shouguo smuggled arms from the Japanese to him, who then sold them to the Koreans, making a profit from the difference.

“We have already inspected the three truckloads of weapons and ammunition.” The officer opened the boxes to show Park Il-woo, the North Korean official in charge of receiving the weapons.

After checking everything and confirming there were no problems, Park Il-woo nodded and asked the officer next to him to pay the fee.

These weapons were exactly what the guerrillas needed. They had already carried out several large-scale operations in Korea, which had been well received. More and more Koreans were choosing to flee north to the Northeast or to the mountains of North Korea to fight the Japanese.

“We need more medicine, and we also need some industrial equipment to produce our own weapons. Can you provide that?” Park Il-woo asked.

The guerrillas lacked medicine and industrial equipment the most. Wounded guerrillas, lacking sufficient medicine, had a very high mortality rate once they became infected.

Without sufficient industrial equipment, they could not produce weapons on their own, and the Japanese blockade made it difficult for them to obtain these things.

"Of course, as long as you can afford it," the officer replied affirmatively.

"We can certainly afford it. For the next transaction, we hope to get more pharmaceuticals and industrial equipment."

After receiving the weapons, Park Il-woo's next task was to figure out how to get them back.

Committee member Kim Doo-bong and Minister Yang Rim are planning an even bigger operation, just waiting for the right moment to ignite North Korea's powder keg.

Chapter 197 A Hothead

When Lin Natsumi woke up from her coma, she found herself lying in an unfamiliar place. This was not like their crowded dormitory. Lin Natsumi felt very tired when she woke up, and even getting up was particularly difficult.

What happened yesterday? Where am I? Lin Natsumi tried hard to recall what had happened. She seemed to have gone to some military camp, and then...

As her memories gradually became clearer, Lin Natsumi also remembered what had happened. After Fujimiya Takemi left, Lin Natsumi fell into despair. Although she didn't like it, if she could live a good life, why would she have fallen into prostitution?

They have to greet all sorts of people with a smile every day, but who really cares about their lives?

There are plenty of people who commit suicide because they can't go on living. Indeed, it's better to die than to live numbly. The things Fujimiya said earlier stimulated Natsumi Hayashi's already fragile nerves, which is why she chose to end her life after Fujimiya left.

However, it seems she didn't die, otherwise she wouldn't be lying here. With some effort, Lin Natsumi managed to sit up by supporting herself on the edge of the bed with one hand.

After finally managing to sit up, Lin Natsumi noticed a chair next to the bed, with Fujimiya Takemi still sleeping against the wall.

"Did he bring me here last night?" Natsumi Hayashi wondered, looking at Takemi Fujimiya's exhausted appearance.

Just then, the door was pushed open, and a doctor pushing a cart walked in from outside. The noise also woke up Fujimiya Takemi, who was sleeping against the wall.

"Miss Tsumi, you're awake? How are you feeling?"

"It's alright." Lin Natsumi didn't dare to look at Fujimiya Takemi, and nodded softly with her head down.

"Doctor, how is she? Is she still in danger?"

Fujimiya Takemi rubbed his aching thighs, picked up the hat from the table and put it on, then put his coat back on and asked the doctor.

"Miss Tsumi is recovering well, but she is still too weak and needs to rest for a while."

Hearing the doctor's words, Fujimiya Takemi nodded slightly, looking a little more relaxed. "Then I'll leave Ms. Tsumi in your care at the hospital from now on."

After giving instructions to the doctor, Fujimiya Takemi looked at Hayashi Natsumi, who was sitting on the hospital bed, with a complicated expression. Hayashi Natsumi had her head down and seemed to be thinking about something.

"Get some rest and don't overthink it." Seeing Natsumi's expression, Fujimiya didn't know what to say for a moment, so he left after saying that.

"Why would Miss Tsumi be so upset?" the doctor asked while changing her dressing. "Miss Tsumi, didn't you see how anxious Mr. Fujimiya was last night? With a husband like that, why would Miss Tsumi be so upset?"

The doctor clearly misunderstood. Lin Natsumi was good-looking, and Fujimiya was considered a mid-to-high-ranking officer in the army. The two looked very well-matched, so the doctor naturally assumed they were a couple.

"The environment in Manchuria is not as good as in China; it is very tough, especially for the military. Miss Tsumi, please don't be so willful next time. Mr. Fujimiya brought you here because he was worried about you and didn't leave all night. Going back to the barracks at this time will definitely result in punishment."

Hearing the doctor say this, Lin Natsumi felt a little sad for some reason. To be the wife of an officer, given her status, was truly a luxury.

Fujimiya Takemi drove all the way back to the camp. He didn't slow down when he reached the checkpoint and drove straight in. The guards on duty naturally recognized Fujimiya Takemi's car, and seeing him drive in, they didn't dare to stop him for inspection, so they let him in.

"When did Captain Fujimiya leave?" the guard on duty asked the person next to him.

"How would I know? But when I was changing shifts, I heard that a car went out last night. Captain Fujimiya should have left last night."

"Wasn't it a banquet last night? What was Captain Fujimiya doing out?" The guard asked curiously. "I saw her yesterday. Those women who came to the camp were really beautiful. I bet the officers had a great time. I wish I could go over too, even just to take a look."

The guard sighed. He knew about what happened last night and was extremely envious. As lowly soldiers, they were not entitled to such high-level treatment; at most, they were just released a few hours earlier.

"You can enjoy it if you slack off a little less," someone nearby scolded. "I suppose Captain Fujimiya left because he didn't want to get involved, but I wonder if he'll be punished for coming back at this hour."

The man was somewhat worried. Fujimiya was one of the few officers in the camp who was relatively approachable, and most of the soldiers liked him quite a bit, so he couldn't help but worry.

Fujimiya drove to the camp hospital first and ordered the doctor to treat his wounded soldiers immediately. Because of what happened last night, he no longer trusted the people in the camp. The medicine he brought back had to be used on the soldiers. If anyone dared to play any tricks, Fujimiya would kill them on the spot.

After receiving repeated assurances from the doctor, Fujimiya left the medication at the hospital. There was an even more urgent matter at hand: he had to report the events of the previous night to Noda and instruct him to thoroughly investigate the military warehouse.

However, since Noda's adjutant had started dealing in arms, how could his superior not know? In the office, Ueharaji was talking to Noda Hiroji.

After receiving the money last night, Hiroji Noda got so excited that he drank too much. He woke up not long ago and is still a little dizzy.

"Looks like I should drink less alcohol." Noda Hiroji smiled wryly. Yesterday, he got carried away with the money and gave four hundred to the woman who had spent the night with him.

"Four hundred yen could buy the virginity of countless girls in Japan, and I gave it to a prostitute. What a waste."

"Three thousand in one night. Manchuria is indeed a good place. I could stay in Manchuria for ten years. Even if the empire offered me a generalship, I would not go back."

“That’s for sure,” Ueharaji chimed in. “However, Captain Fujimiya Takemi went there last night and the guards said he was trying to storm the warehouse. That’s going to be a problem.”

"Fujimiya Takemi? That bastard, he didn't cause enough trouble in the country, and now he wants to cause trouble here?" Noda cursed under his breath. He had been managing this place for a while, and he didn't want this hothead to ruin it.

"Have you taken care of everything?"

"Of course, Colonel. Captain Fujimiya went out last night and hasn't returned yet. We took care of the things in the warehouse as soon as possible."

"That bastard, is he planning to report me?" Hiroji Noda had also heard of Fujimiya Takekai's exploits in Japan. Although he was polite to him, he actually avoided him very much, worried that he might get slashed by him one day.

"Of course not. According to the guards, Captain Fujimiya went out with a woman, and one of the women who came to comfort him last night is missing."

"I thought he was a gentleman. I didn't expect him to be so hypocritical." Noda Hiroji couldn't help but laugh. What was this? Was he afraid of being gossiped about and taking people out to play?

"I never would have guessed that Captain Fujimiya was quite the player," Hiroji Noda joked. "But he's always a nuisance here. I need to write a letter to the Ministry of the Army, speak well of Fujimiya, and request that he be transferred back to Japan so he can stop causing us trouble."

Junior officers in Manchuria were desperate to return home, but returning was not easy; it required various approvals and introductions.

But for a high-ranking officer like Noda, it was just a matter of stuffing more money into his pocket. Although the people above him were asking for a lot, he didn't mind spending money to buy peace of mind. He would only feel bad if Fujimiya exposed him one day.

Chapter 198 The Little Red Book of Revolution

Manchuria was like a large dyeing workshop; if you insisted on maintaining your "uniqueness" here, you were destined to be ostracized.

Hiroji Noda had a portrait of Emperor Hirohito hanging behind him, but he still counted the "ill-gotten gains" in his hand without any guilt. The new emperor was young and had only been on the throne for a short time. He was inexperienced and still immersed in his "dream of a wise ruler".

In reality, Japan's domestic problems are already very serious. The sluggish economy has exacerbated social conflicts, and various ideologies are clashing among the people.

Within the military, the conflict between the army and the navy is intensifying. The navy wants to break through Germany's restrictions and build more warships to expand its strength, but this will undoubtedly affect the development of the army. The conflict between the two sides is gradually escalating. If it is not properly resolved, Japanese society may collapse at any time, and it is unknown how long Hirohito's "dream of becoming a wise ruler" can last.

If it weren't for Fujimiya Takemi's connections, with his temper, he might have been taken care of by Noda Hiroji's men any day. Sending him back to Japan is already considered a great favor.

Just as Noda Hiroji and Ueharaji were discussing how to get rid of Fujimiya, there was a knock on the office door. Fujimiya Takemi came in to report to Noda Hiroji what he had seen the night before.

"Captain Fujimiya, is there anything I can help you with?" Hiroji Noda asked Fujimiya as he entered.

"Colonel Noda, I have something I'd like to report to you." Fujimiya glanced at Ueharaji. "I'd like to speak with you privately."

"Is that so?" Noda looked at Ueharaji. "Then Uehara-kun, please excuse us."

"Yes."

Ueharaji bowed to Noda Hiroji and then left the room.

"Captain Fujimiya, speak, what do you want to report?" Noda touched the Nambu XIV pistol tucked into his waistband, afraid that this hothead would come up and chop him up again.

"Colonel Noda, there are very serious problems within our army!" Fujimiya went straight to the point. "Colonel Noda, there are people smuggling weapons and supplies in our camps!"

Isn't saying this tantamount to slapping Noda in the face? Saying there are serious problems in the military is tantamount to saying that Noda is inactive and mismanaging the situation.

He didn't know about the smuggled goods. Should we also accuse Noda of negligence in supervision? No wonder Fujimiya isn't doing well in Japan and hasn't been promoted. With that kind of temper, it would be a miracle if he got promoted.

Although Noda was also a participant, he pretended to be very surprised and stood up from his seat.

"Oh? Is there really such a thing in our military camp? Captain Fujimiya, you mustn't be talking nonsense. Smuggling weapons is a very serious matter."

"Colonel Noda! Last night I saw Major Uehara and someone get into a car and head to the warehouse, but the guards said no one went there. When I tried to check the warehouse, they stopped me. There must be something wrong here. If you don't believe me, please come with me to the warehouse to check!"

"How could something like this happen in a military camp?" Noda looked furious. "I'll go get Hara. You come with me to the warehouse and take a good look. If something this terrible really happened, we'll investigate thoroughly!"

Fujimiya led Noda and Uehara to the warehouse for a face-to-face confrontation. When they arrived at the warehouse door, the guard saluted Noda, and at his command, the warehouse door was opened.

However, things did not go as Fujimiya had expected. Inside the warehouse, various weapons and ammunition were neatly stacked, and the medicines and clothing had not been touched.

“Fujimiya-kun, check carefully, everything in the warehouse matches up.” Ueharaji said with a smile, but looking at that smile, Fujimiya Takemi felt disgusted.

"Captain Fujimiya, it seems like everything in the warehouse is still there, right?" Noda said from the side. "Nothing seems to be missing as Fujimiya-kun said. Could it be that Fujimiya-kun wronged Major Uehara?"

"Fujimiya-kun, you said you saw me get into a car with someone. That's because we're friends. He was gambling and owed some money. He came to me to borrow money, and I felt bad about spoiling everyone's fun, so I left with him."

"Fujimiya-kun, harmony should be the priority in the military camp. We need to have sufficient evidence. If everyone acted like you, wouldn't the military camp descend into chaos?"

"There's one more thing, Captain Fujimiya. You left the camp without permission last night with a woman and you're late today. According to regulations, you should be punished. However, I hosted the banquet last night, and there were some oversights. So, I'll waive the punishment this time, but there won't be a next time. Fujimiya-kun, you should be more careful."

In short, Noda's meaning is clear: that's enough, don't escalate things or nobody will be able to back down.

Hearing Noda's words, Fujimiya clenched his fists. There must have been something wrong with the warehouse before. Why was everything fine when he arrived? Someone must have arranged it in advance. Ueharaji alone couldn't have done it.

That means there are other people involved. Only Noda could move the warehouse. So it turns out these guys are in cahoots! Looking at their faces, Fujimiya was furious. These bastards are a disgrace to the empire!

"I'm sorry, Uehara-kun, I misunderstood you." Fujimiya bowed to Uehara with a gloomy expression and apologized. "Colonel Noda, I was too reckless this time. I am very sorry."

"It's alright, Fujimiya-kun, I've always had high hopes for you." Noda patted Fujimiya on the shoulder. "Young people shouldn't be too arrogant; it's better to tone it down a bit." Noda began to patiently lecture him from the side.

After Fujimiya walked away, Noda's face darkened. It seemed he had to get rid of this guy quickly, otherwise, trouble was bound to arise if he stayed too long.

Because of the recent frequent attacks by North Korean guerrillas, the sentry posts have been reinforced with more personnel, and are no longer patrolled by just one person as before.

Kobayashi and Takahashi sat on small stools. This was Kobayashi's special spot for slacking off. It has to be said that this place was indeed very good. It had a wide view, allowing them to observe the surrounding environment, and it was also very secluded, making it difficult for others to spot them.

"Takahashi-kun, please have a seat."

Kobayashi knew that Takahashi had just been traumatized and might not have recovered yet. Standing there on guard was definitely dangerous; he might get distracted and be shot by the guerrillas.

Just as Kobayashi was trying to comfort Takahashi, he suddenly heard some noises.

"Someone's coming, Takahashi-kun." Kobayashi lowered his body and began to observe from the shadows. Sure enough, someone was sneaking over from not far away, heading towards the outpost.

"They dare to sneak into the checkpoint all by themselves? These guerrillas are really bold lately." Kobayashi laughed as he picked up his rifle. "Takahashi-kun, be careful, we're taking them alive."

The guerrillas, who were sneaking around, saw that there was no one at the checkpoint and were about to leave their bags when they turned around and were stopped by Kobayashi with a gun.

"Don't move! Put your hands up. You dare to touch the checkpoint by yourself? You've got some nerve."

"Takahashi-kun, search him and see if he's carrying any weapons. We'll take them and sell them."